Because of the ‘lacky’ schedule this week, I’m doing just 1 game of the week this week for the entire league.
Games to Watch
Balanced Games of the Week
Vanuatu Volcano @ Kingston Uprising
This game of all the regular write-up games might be the one that intrigues me the most. Two teams, ranked top 10 (in some cases top 5) statistically, one new to Pro this season, one not. I really think it’s difficult to suggest what type of game plan either team will come out with. Kingston is ranked #1 on the ground but just 14th through the air, while Vanuatu is ranked 6th through the air and just 16th on the ground. Kingston has the #10 Pass D, #5 Rush D, while Vanuatu has the #11 Pass D & #10 Rush D. Perhaps the one thing that really sets these teams apart is Vanuatu’s kick return unit being ranked #1 in the league. It’s not often we see high scoring games when it’s two good teams facing off but if there was one, I’d say it’d be this one. I expect this to be a game of ultra dynamics. Points scored from everywhere, Kick Returns, FG’s, Passing TD’s, Rushing TD’s. I expect a 3-5 point game and a 4th quarter comeback to win it. This one should be almost lights out.
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Olden Swillers @ Atlantis Lost Souls
O.S. has the #22 Passing D in the league and they’re facing the best passing offense in the league this week. This is short to be the focal point of an offensive game plan for Atlantis, but perhaps the same can be said for the Swillers who have a top 10 ranked Passing Offense and #11 ranked Rushing Offense, facing a defense that is ranked 11th overall and 23rd against the pass. Both of these teams are currently being looked at as potential dark horses for the playoffs perhaps. Everyone knows they exist no one knows who they’ll finish. Look for the passing D’s of each of these teams to get tested this week. The team who’s Passing D bends but doesn’t break, will come out on top, which obviously means they left someone else’s secondary very broken.
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Auckland Old Gold & All Blacks @ German Wilddogs
Auckland has gotten the job done this season despite what their statistical rankings might suggest. Their strongest point is that #3 Ranked Pass defense. However it’s hard to suggest that passing excessively based on stats, will be the focal point of GW’s game plan. They have the 21st ranked Passing Offense and the 12th ranked Rushing Offense, they’re facing a team that is ranked 30th against the rush. Now don’t get me wrong, while I use a lot of statistical #’s in pregame analysis, these rankings change every week. Just because someone is ranked poor doesn’t mean they are poor. Who knows, I say the Germans are going to run the ball down Aucklands throat and try to come up with a win here. I’d also say that Auckland will try to gun sling their way to win. But I don’t do their game plans, and I’ve been wrong before. What I do know is that right now, these teams are hard to predict, good for them and not so good for us eh? Expect a 7-10 point game here.
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Christchurch Fighting Maori @ Molokai Lavastorm
Offensively this week, CFM is going to have to improve their production. They’re going up against the #3 Defense in the league that shows no mercy for weak scoring teams. The struggles that CFM has had in the passing game could be the straw that breaks the camels back. However, Maori has a pretty good defense themselves so Molokai cannot slouch on offense this week either. Obviously CFM has their work cut out for them offensively but in the end I think it’ll be about who’s defense plays better.
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Oceania Pro ‘Baken-Ets Pigskin’ Game of the Week
Samoa Flying Foxes @ Sydney Jellybirds
Each week I promise an update, well folks here’s another one. Scientists have stated that that a jellybird apparently involves some sort of genetic mutation. The ingredients include grape jelly filled donuts, a jelly fish, an ostrich, and French toads… French Toads? Really? Idk folks, maybe IU Hoosier can bring some sense to this research project.
What was I saying? Oh yes, the Game, Well we have a slobber knocker for you this week folks. SFF @ SJB. Both teams are toting around very efficient statistical talent, both teams have gallantly won 4 of their 5 games this season. Both SFF & SJB dropped just one game this season, and it was to Tasmania for both of them. In this game, we’re looking at the serious possibility of a deciding ticket to the #3-4 Seed (if not higher, there is a lot of games left). Both of these teams are looking into a situation where they need to play efficient, sound football. I don’t normally do this but I’m going to make a prediction here… 32-35 the Jelly-Donut-Ostrich-Toad-birds squeak out a game winning FG in the 4th.
Games to Watch
Balanced Games of the Week
Vanuatu Volcano @ Kingston Uprising
This game of all the regular write-up games might be the one that intrigues me the most. Two teams, ranked top 10 (in some cases top 5) statistically, one new to Pro this season, one not. I really think it’s difficult to suggest what type of game plan either team will come out with. Kingston is ranked #1 on the ground but just 14th through the air, while Vanuatu is ranked 6th through the air and just 16th on the ground. Kingston has the #10 Pass D, #5 Rush D, while Vanuatu has the #11 Pass D & #10 Rush D. Perhaps the one thing that really sets these teams apart is Vanuatu’s kick return unit being ranked #1 in the league. It’s not often we see high scoring games when it’s two good teams facing off but if there was one, I’d say it’d be this one. I expect this to be a game of ultra dynamics. Points scored from everywhere, Kick Returns, FG’s, Passing TD’s, Rushing TD’s. I expect a 3-5 point game and a 4th quarter comeback to win it. This one should be almost lights out.
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Olden Swillers @ Atlantis Lost Souls
O.S. has the #22 Passing D in the league and they’re facing the best passing offense in the league this week. This is short to be the focal point of an offensive game plan for Atlantis, but perhaps the same can be said for the Swillers who have a top 10 ranked Passing Offense and #11 ranked Rushing Offense, facing a defense that is ranked 11th overall and 23rd against the pass. Both of these teams are currently being looked at as potential dark horses for the playoffs perhaps. Everyone knows they exist no one knows who they’ll finish. Look for the passing D’s of each of these teams to get tested this week. The team who’s Passing D bends but doesn’t break, will come out on top, which obviously means they left someone else’s secondary very broken.
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Auckland Old Gold & All Blacks @ German Wilddogs
Auckland has gotten the job done this season despite what their statistical rankings might suggest. Their strongest point is that #3 Ranked Pass defense. However it’s hard to suggest that passing excessively based on stats, will be the focal point of GW’s game plan. They have the 21st ranked Passing Offense and the 12th ranked Rushing Offense, they’re facing a team that is ranked 30th against the rush. Now don’t get me wrong, while I use a lot of statistical #’s in pregame analysis, these rankings change every week. Just because someone is ranked poor doesn’t mean they are poor. Who knows, I say the Germans are going to run the ball down Aucklands throat and try to come up with a win here. I’d also say that Auckland will try to gun sling their way to win. But I don’t do their game plans, and I’ve been wrong before. What I do know is that right now, these teams are hard to predict, good for them and not so good for us eh? Expect a 7-10 point game here.
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Christchurch Fighting Maori @ Molokai Lavastorm
Offensively this week, CFM is going to have to improve their production. They’re going up against the #3 Defense in the league that shows no mercy for weak scoring teams. The struggles that CFM has had in the passing game could be the straw that breaks the camels back. However, Maori has a pretty good defense themselves so Molokai cannot slouch on offense this week either. Obviously CFM has their work cut out for them offensively but in the end I think it’ll be about who’s defense plays better.
--
Oceania Pro ‘Baken-Ets Pigskin’ Game of the Week
Samoa Flying Foxes @ Sydney Jellybirds
Each week I promise an update, well folks here’s another one. Scientists have stated that that a jellybird apparently involves some sort of genetic mutation. The ingredients include grape jelly filled donuts, a jelly fish, an ostrich, and French toads… French Toads? Really? Idk folks, maybe IU Hoosier can bring some sense to this research project.
What was I saying? Oh yes, the Game, Well we have a slobber knocker for you this week folks. SFF @ SJB. Both teams are toting around very efficient statistical talent, both teams have gallantly won 4 of their 5 games this season. Both SFF & SJB dropped just one game this season, and it was to Tasmania for both of them. In this game, we’re looking at the serious possibility of a deciding ticket to the #3-4 Seed (if not higher, there is a lot of games left). Both of these teams are looking into a situation where they need to play efficient, sound football. I don’t normally do this but I’m going to make a prediction here… 32-35 the Jelly-Donut-Ostrich-Toad-birds squeak out a game winning FG in the 4th.
